My name is Jason Alvey (simply Alvey to my mates) and I am the owner of The Four Firkins.

I hail from Australia, a dry desolate place where good beer used to be as rare as hen’s teeth. It wasn’t until I moved to Minnesota in 2001 that I discovered truly good beer, Craft Beer, and learned to appreciate it. The Aussie craft brew scene is coming along very nicely but we've got it pretty good here in the U.S right now...in fact, we are leading the world in a Craft Beer Renaissance!

Most of you, I’m sure, are aware of what a Craft Beer is. If you’ve never heard the term, it means Beer that has been brewed with Pride! Craft Brewers are always striving to produce the best Beer possible with only the best ingredients.

Big multi national brewers are most definitely not brewing Craft Beer; these beers are full of “adjuncts,” like rice and corn, and are brewed for the masses in the least expensive way possible.

Ever since I fell in love with Craft Beer in 2001 I have been exploring the huge selection we have here in Minnesota. We are so lucky here! The U.S. has more micro breweries than just about anywhere else in the world (over 1700 in 2011) and we also have access to amazing Beers from the “Old World” that are hard to find in many other states. Recipes hundreds of years old, brewed in the same manner for generations, some of the most amazing, complex beverages brewed by anyone, ever! We can get them here in Minnesota!

I opened this store so I could share my passion for good Beer. I don’t claim to know everything there is on the subject, but I’ve learned a thing or two along the way and I can certainly recommend some great beers if you pop in and say “G’day.” Of course, you don't have to seek me out for a good recommendation, all my staff are highly trained in every aspect of beer appreciation and they are happy to help.

You’ll also find plenty of beer-related merchandise, like brewery-specific glassware, all displayed in our cozy little store along with loads of interesting Breweriana (Beer Antiques). Not forgetting of course, a huge selection of great beer.

The beer in our store is taken care of as it is supposed to be, Every fluorescent bulb in the shop has a UV filter so you can be confident none of our beers will be light struck or skunked and the store is kept COLD! We truly love our Beer!

I look forward to talking beer with you soon.

Alvey.